SeRgei Lavrov noted that people in Europe and the United States know next to nothing about the plight of people in southeast Ukraine

SOCHI, August 11. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday Russia and the Kiev authorities have agreed on details of a relief operation in southeast Ukraine.

It will be carried out under the aegis of the International Red Cross, he said.

“Today I can say with cautious optimism that all possible and impossible obstacles have been removed. I hope that this humanitarian action will take place soon under the aegis of the International Committee of the Red Cross,” the Russian foreign minister stressed.

“We hope that Western partners are not going to put a spoke in wheels and will think about people who urgently need electricity and water supplies resumed,” Lavrov said, adding Russia would supply the relief cargo.

“I do hope that our Western partners are not going to hamper the humanitarian action which we are planning now,” the Russian foreign minister went on to say.

He criticized Western leaders (from the United States, Britain and Germany) for unwillingness to see the need of sending relief aid to Ukraine. He described their behavior as “outrageous manifestation of cynicism”.

He noted that public in Europe and the United States know next to nothing about the plight of people in southeast Ukraine.

“I believe that our Western partners are trying, if you wish, to distort the real picture of events (in Ukraine) and distract attention from actions that are being taken to suppress those who disagree with an armed coup, committed in violation of Ukraine’s constitution and European values, by force,” Lavrov said. He added Russia had been urging all parties in conflict to sit down to talks.